Meagan

Hi! My name is Meagan and I am a junior at Cornell University. I'm an Industrial and Labor Relations Major and Spanish Minor with a concentration in Disability Studies. In my free time, I play rugby, work as a peer counselor on campus, gender discussion panelist, editor at the Cornell Undergrad Disability Studies Journal, and editor and fellowship writer with The Tab Cornell. I have also interned with a charter school in the South Bronx for the past 3 summers as a Curriculum Writer and general intern, so I am a huge fan of education and shaping the process to the particular student!

I like to determine what kind of learning works best for the student -- I know from experience that sometimes the way a teacher teaches just doesn't click with my style of learning. So, based on what makes the most sense, I like to provide a technique that helps the student best reach the answers and understanding they need. I am not going to just give the student an answer; instead I will provide them help along the way so they can get the answer themselves -- it does no good if I just provide an answer and they learn nothing. My philosophy is that the more they learn and complete problems (with or without my help), the better they will understand and be able to draw on what they've learned in the future.

What might you do in a typical first session with a student?

In a first session, I'd want to get to know the student a bit. While yes, the sessions are aimed at tutoring them in the subject, I find it helpful to know what learning style fits best with them, and also what they like doing in their free time. Sometimes the examples that hit home the most for me are those that relate to my non-academic passions. I often find myself explaining concepts in my mind through experiences I have on sports teams or in clubs. I find that it helps me remember things better when I work through theories with a real-life example I'm interested in.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help a student become an independent learner by being a sounding board for their ideas. It is important not to just give a student an answer because it will be easier in the short run. The more important thing is not that they have the right answer, but that they understand why they have the answer they have. The long-term gains of independently reaching an answer are much better than the short-term grade boost. Through this process, I will always be available to answer questions and steer in the right direction, but I am not a big supporter of just giving a student the correct answer. While I may know the answer, it's not an assignment grading me on my knowledge; it's for the student to exhibit what they have learned.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I like to try and make learning fun. I know school is not for everyone, and some subjects are more boring than others. If you go into a tutoring session with the idea that it'll be boring, then it will be boring. But a positive attitude and motivational prizes can help students stay engaged.

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